The Fountain of Oblivion

Chapter 6 Slytherin's Return

A loud creaking sound filled the Great Hall as the doors of the Entrance Hall opened and a long line of first-years gradually appeared; a mixture of amazement, excitement and fear painted on every face. Some were looking with apprehension at the enchanted ceiling, whose dark color clearly reflected their state of mind, while others were gazing at the Sorting Hat and the staff table. Harry resisted the impulse to tell a shivering boy that had passed right next to him that everything was going to be all right. As rhey stopped in front of the Sorting Hat, all sounds died in the Hall. The Hat's ripped brim opened and the Sorting Hat's song began:

Now you may say that I am old
Battered and patched and dirty
But it would be unwise and bold
To deem that I am not witty
I often tell the same story
I will not deny it-'Tis true
Yet ere I've ended you will see
Knowing it will surely help you
So let us delve once and again
To our Founders' lore and secrets
And let us hope that not in vain
They laid down our Hogwarts tenets
First, there came Godric Gryffindor
Friend of the brave and the daring
Courage, fearlessness and valour
He valued above everything
Then joined Salazar Slytherin
One who could dispute with serpents
He taught those of great cunning
And who could trace their decendants
As for Rowena Ravenclaw
She asked for quick minds and thinking
Helga Hufflepuff, last of all
Stood for equality of caring
In unity, they were strongest
In wrath and anger, they were weak
So when love of power took the best
Of them, when duelling and fighting
Prevailed, that day was dark and bleak
And at last there came a morning
Where Salazar departed
But ere he left, he told them all:
''Do not rejoice, for before long
I will return inside these walls
And walk these fields, haunt these dungeons
My voice again will shake these halls''
And then he went away
Now Hufflepuff spoke, and she said:
''Do not despair, for I have seen
No need there is to be afraid
And Slytherin's returning
Far from meaning Hogwarts' end
Will announce a new beginning''
And since then the four great Houses
Long to be one at last
And since then I have been sorting
As witness of the past
Let us hope Salazar's coming
Before your time has passed
But for now I must divide you
So come close, and I will sort you!


The Sorting Hat song had always ended with burst of applause as far as Harry could remember, but this time, an unexpected silence lingered for a second or two before the applause started.

''I can't believe it,'' Ron said grumpily eyeing the Slytherin table from where the loudest applause was coming. ''Next time, that damn Hat will publicly support Slytherin and first-years will think it is cool to go there.''

''I'm not sure that's what he meant,'' said Hermione. ''He already called for house unity last year. And not all Slytherins are bad, Professor Snape works for the Order.''

''Well, if that's the best example of a good Slytherin you can find, Hermione...'' said Ron, looking at the staff table. Snape was malevolently eyeing the Gryffindor table, an evil grin spread on his face.

''Abbott, Esther.'' Professor McGonagall called.

'That must be Hannah's sister,'Harry thought. When the pink-faced little girl put the Sorting Hat on, it frowned and cried ''Hufflepuff!''

''Did you know about that return of Slytherin story, Hermione?'' asked Harry. ''I mean, it must be a legend, he's been dead for thousands of years now.''

''The grudge between Slytherin and Gryffindor is considered historical, but Slytherin's return is generally interpreted as a symbolic one, though some scholars have proposed that Phineas Nigellus' service as Headmaster could be called Slytherin's return. It is in Hogwarts, a Hist...''

''...tory, yes I know, Hermion...'' But something was wrong. Hermione had remained silent. Ron, on the other hand, was open-mouthed, and it had been his voice that had answered Harry. He was motionless, and very white, as if the surprised at what had just happened.

''Dyer, Simon.'' A small dark boy approached. ''Ravenclaw!''

Hermione was the first to speak again. ''That's true, I remember now. I didn't know you had finally read Hogwarts, A History, Ron,'' she said in an even tone of voice.

''I... I haven't'' babbled Ron, as ''Kerlin, Mary'' was made a Slytherin.

''I think it is a good idea you did. But I warn you, the section on house elves is very short. To think that Hogwarts had employed house-elves for hundred of years and no-one ever had the idea to provide them with clothes and wages. I hope the elves I freed are going to organise with the Diagon Alley Elf Agency.''

Harry pondered if he should tell her that the only house-elf who had ever taken one of her knitted hat was Dobby, when the girl from Beauxbatons was called.

''Laharie, CŽcile.'' A murmur of surprise and wonder filled the Great Hall as she walked to the Hat; she was taller than any of the other pupils sorted by a foot at least. A second after she had put it on her head, the Sorting Hat bellowed ''Gryffindor'' and the Gryffindor table exploded in applause. Nearly-Headless Nick, the Gryffindor ghost, seemed as happy as a ghost could be.

''You all ought to be proud, it is the first time I see someone so old sorted, and in Gryffindor too!'' he said in a delighted voice ''That with the Sorting Hat song, tonight's sorting has been quite unusual, I dare say.''

''Pelletier, Edward''
''Ravenclaw!''
''Punderson, Florinda''
''Gryffindor!''

As first-years were getting sorted, Harry cast a look toward the staff table. The round, powerful face of Hagrid, the thin smile of the new young teacher, tiny excited Professor Flitwick, the serene attitude of Dumbledore, the concentrated expression of Professor Sinistra, the jovial, red face of Professor Sprout and then the grim smirk of Snape, all of which reminded him how happy he was to be back at school. Harry had spent hours and hours during the summer reliving the events that had led to Sirius' death; he had promised more than once that he was not going to blame anyone and that he would not act foolishly anymore, yet when he saw Snape sitting there, protected by the walls of Hogwarts, while Sirius had disappeared behind a veil, deprived of a tomb, wild and cruel thoughts came to his mind. What had Snape done to end up at Hogwarts? Serve Voldemort then come back to Dumbledore? What did Sirius do? Endure twelve years in Azkaban. It did not seem fair.

''Wilmot, William.'' ''Slytherin!''

''And about time too!'' Ron growled. Dumbledore stood up, surveying the entire school with his gleaming eyes. His calm voice said:

''I have many things to say before this school year begins. But not before this fine meal. Please tuck in!'' In the blink of an eye, the plates, glasses and dishes filled with delectable food and drinks, and the well-behaved students that had politely listened to the sorting turned in a hungry pack of animals. ''Ron, are you trying to run for the most disgusting person at the feast?'' Hermione said, looking disapprovingly at Ron devouring his food. ''Because you know, no-one is really challenging you; so there is no need practising every year.'' That had the incredible effect of stopping Ron cold, but probably not at the right moment though, as his face was distorted by the immense quantity of treacle tart he had tried to guzzle. Harry heard a horrible swallowing sound and Ron replied in a sorry voice:

''I was hungry, Hermione.''

''Well, I guessed so.''

Harry thought it best to divert from this topic as quickly as he could, so he decided to tell his friends about Buckbeak.

''You know, he was convicted just because of Malfoy, and anyway, I am sure Madam Bones would agree to let him come back if Hagrid promised to take care of him,'' he told them.

''And not to bring him to class'' Hermione added. ''I sure hope Grawp has improved a lot during the summer, I don't feel like teaching a giant English this year.'' Soon they were all discussing Care of Magical Creatures when Dumbledore stood up once more.

His long hair and beard were shining silver-white on his magnificent blue and gold robes, and despite his calm manner, it was clear that the first-years were looking at him with awe for the first time.

''So, now that I hope you have all enjoyed these delicious dishes, there are a few things I would like all of you to pay some pay attention to. First of all, our caretaker, Mr. Filch has told he had given up the idea of an exhaustive list of the forbidden objects. He has told me, though, that it includes, but is not restricted too, all items that you could purchase at Weasley Wizard Wheezes. You can all find a complete list of those in their catalogue, I think,'' Dumbledore said, rather whimsically. Professor McGonagall coughed in a way that did not seem completely natural. ''Oh yes, where was I?'' resumed Dumbledore. ''I would also like to add that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds, unless you want to be trampled by an herd of Centaurs.'' Harry heard a collective ''Oooooh'' from the students and he himself could not say that he was particularly keen on meeting the Centaurs again after the events of last summer. ''But there is something even more serious I would like all of you to know. It is now more than one year since Lord Voldemort has come back.'' It was almost like a scream had come from the Hall. Harry saw fearful faces, dark looks, and children no more than eleven or twelve already terrified by the mere name of Voldemort. That was their fate, a generation bound to fear and war, he thought bitterly. Harry looked at the Slytherin table, anticipating what he was going to see. Malfoy was sitting upright, his blood-shot eyes darting towards Dumbledore. Around him, Crabbe and Goyle were laughing stupidly. But to Harry's surprise, most Slytherins were actually looking as concerned and ashen-faced as the other students.

''It is therefore of the utmost importance that you pay extreme attention to your Defence against the Dark Arts lessons. In fact, it is my understanding that some particularly dedicated students started an association last year devoted to that subject. I would encourage all of you to consider joining it. If you would like to, I am sure Professor McGonagall will be pleased to introduce you to Harry Potter, a Gryffindor sixth year that organised it last year.'' Harry felt annoyed for a fleeting instant by Dumbledore calling him ''a Gryffindor sixth year'', but then he remembered how much he hated the publicity everyone seemed to make around his name and was all in all grateful for the way Dumbledore had handled it. Heads everywhere in the Hall started to turn in his direction again, but Dumbledore went on so everyone's attention went back to the staff table.

''I reckon we're going to learn who our new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher is,'' said Ron eagerly.

''But of course, however useful this association might be, it should not divert you the tiniest bit from your official lessons in the fields'' Dumbledore said. ''I have the pleasure to announce you that this year, they will be taught by Professor Snape.'' Even Voldemort's name had not created a greatest turmoil. Shocked exclamations, whispered ''No!'' and ''I can't believe it!'' and even words that made Hermione threaten to take House points right away were heard at the Gryffindor table. Close to Harry, Ron looked positively appalled and it was nothing in comparison to Neville. Harry had not stopped staring at Dumbledore since he had announced Snape's change of position, and contrary to what he had said, Dumbledore's expression was nothing but pleasure. Rather it was pain and heart-breaking sadness that Harry read on his headmaster's face. Snape's smirk, on the other hand, had extended so much that his whole face was distorted in an horrible expression of joy.

''And it is with an equal pleasure that I welcome Mrs Melanie Meadows,'' Dumbledore went on. ''She will be teaching Potions in replacement of Professor Snape this year and I do hope she will find a true home in Hogwarts.''

Some students applauded to welcome her, but the wide majority of the group was still loudly discussing Snape's appointment. Around Harry, only Hermione and the first-years who had never heard of Snape were calm. In fact, Hermione seemed to be in deep thought, as if she was trying to put together the pieces of a puzzle. Harry pondered for a while what she could be thinking of, but was distracted by Ron's lament about what a Defence against the Dark Arts class with Snape was going to look like. If Dumbledore wanted to add anything to his start of term speech, he must have had changed his mind in view of the scene now taking place in the Great Hall. Instead, he left McGonagall try to install some discipline, and it was under her calls for silence and calm that the feast ended.

Hermione and Ron went with the other prefects to guide the youngest pupils, while Harry wandered mindlessly in direction of the Gryffindor tower, catching the echoes of some conversations on his way.

''I guess we are really going to need you this year,'' a feminine voice behind him said. Ginny and Luna were standing there, looking at him resolutely, but before he could answer, another voice he knew perfectly well called him.

''Potter! Could you come here for a second?'' A rather breathless, but still determined McGonagall was yelling from the bottom of the stairs. Harry waved good-night to the two girls and ran down. ''I would have like to tell you earlier, but with all that-'' Professor McGonagall started ''Pritchard! Branstone!'' she shrieked, ''You go to your dorms now. Sorry, Potter. To the point, your history in the Gryffindor Quidditch team is impressive. I was considering appointing you captain of our Quidditch team. Of course, I must say that your behaviour in the last match you played was and remained so inexcusable I have hesitated a long time before asking you. But I've decided you deserve a second chance. I hope you have understood me, should any member of the team ever behave in any way except with utmost fair-play and Ms. Bell will take your position. Now what do you say?''

Harry was perfectly sincere when he said: ''I would love to lead the team, Professor.''

''Very well then, Potter, it is up to you to organise tryouts as quickly as you can, I would not want to see the Quidditch cup leave my office for of lack of training. Now, move along, I still have some fourth years hidden in the Secret Corridor on the third floor to send to bed.''

It was with a heart-felt pride and with a smile that even Snape could not take off his face that Harry passed the Fat Lady portrait and entered the Gryffindor common room that he liked so much. It was usual for the Gryffindors to spend some time there, chatting by the fire-place with friends or greeting acquaintances, but Harry had never seen it so crowded on the first night. Small groups of people were having hushed discussions everywhere, and Harry had no difficulty guessing what they were all talking about. It had become part of Hogwarts folklore that Snape wanted the Defence against the Dark Arts position right from his arrival at Hogwarts, and that he had been turned down by Dumbledore ever since. In fact, now that Harry thought of it, it was quite strange that Dumbledore had waited so long to hire Snape. Snape had been a most cruel and obnoxious teacher, there was no doubt about that in Harry's mind, yet he had to admit that he sure looked competent. At any rate, Snape could not be worse a teacher than Lockhart or Quirrell. Harry remembered Dumbledore's suffering face at 12, Grimmauld Place and during the feast when he had talked about the new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher. Why had he looked so worried? Then, the fact that Snape had been a Death Eater came back suddenly to Harry's mind. Admittedly, an ex-supporter of the worse dark wizard of the century was not so great a choice to teach pupils defence against the dark arts.

''I give him two weeks before a first year lands in the Hospital wing because he would have been submitted to the Cruciatus curse for too long!'' the familiar voice of Ron was ranting. ''What do you say Harry?''

''I say that whatever subject Snape teaches, this is not going to stop the Gryffindor Quidditch team to win the Cup for the third year in a row. And that's the Captain telling you!''

Ron stared at him for half a second then exploded: ''You are Quidditch Captain! Great, Harry. Are you going to appoint a second, I mean, you know it is hard for a Seeker to organise the game while looking for the Snitch, so usually he delegates that mission to the Keeper during the game, I mean, not necessarily the Keeper but...''

Harry laughed, and after a second of hesitation, Ron joined. ''Sure, mate, and for one thing I'll need you next Friday for the tryouts.''

''I'll sure be there, Captain!'' said Ron in a mocking voice. They both wished Hermione a good night and took the spiral staircase to their dorm, running toward their warm four-poster beds. Harry looked through the window to the barely visible Quidditch hoops. He had been made captain! It was his task to lead the Gryffindor team to victory! ''I'll do it.'' He thought, ''We will win.'' In a most excited mood, he turned toward Ron, who had already almost ended unpacking and was humming tunelessly while preparing to go to bed.

''So you have been reading Hogwarts, A History all summer, right?'' Harry snarled, a distinct sarcastic note in his voice.

The humming stopped right away. ''I haven't!'' Ron snapped.

''Well, considering the time you spent with Hermione alone, you have had the time to read it at least twice,'' Harry said, looking for a fight.

''Shut up, Potter!'' a very red Ron said.

''What's going on?'' asked Seamus, entering the dorm ''what are you guys talking about?''

''Nothing!'' Ron yelled.

''Oh, okay, just asking because it is so boring downstairs, they only talk about Snape. Listening to them, you'd think the world is going to end tomorrow. Me, I'm rather glad my Potion NEWT classes will not be taught by Snape. She is kind of cute, that Mrs Meadows, don't you think?'' But from the faces Harry and Ron were making, Seamus obviously gathered that neither of them were following Potion classes and that both of them still had Snape, so he dropped the subject and got into bed. It was with mixed feelings about Sirius, the fate that was awaiting him, Snape's new position and his own new role that Harry finally found a dreamless sleep.

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This document was translated from L^AT_EX by H^EV^EA.